Born in Mexico and raised in Kenya,
31-year-old Lupita Nyong'o tells People she
"never dreamed" of receiving such an honor, but
says "I was happy for all the girls who would see me
on [it] and feel a little more
seen."

After growing up watching actresses
with "light skin and long, flowing, straight
hair," Nyong'o says she struggled
because "subconsciously you start to appreciate those
things more than what you
possess."

As a teen, Nyong'o tried dying her hair every color and
even went as far as shaving her head bald. "It was very strange
and very cold," she says, adding, "It was scary but I like to
dare myself."

Thanks to a lifetime of compliments from her mom, Nyong'o is
finally comfortable in her own skin and recently
signed as the new
face of Lancome.

But today, the actress says the best compliments are
"when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of makeup on
— before I comb my hair or put on a pretty
dress. Happiness is the most important thing."

Nyong'o tops
People's list of the 50 most beautiful people that also includes
Kerri Russell, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Mindy Kaling.